Conklin Glider C1944-1946

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks,

Been looking through my collection of Conklin Gliders and have noticed a few things. First, there are three variations of the pen. This photo shows the largest pen, which also has a wide cap band. It's not shown in either of the two Conklin Glider ads that I have.

http://penhero.com/Temp/ConklinGlider_1280_02.jpg

The 1944 ad describes the Glider as a new pen that features the 14 karat gold Cushon Point nib for a $2.75 price, $3.95 with the matching pencil. It features a clear Visink section and were offered in Dichro-plastic striped inlay patterns. Another 1944 ad shows the pen in four striped colors.

The best features of these pens are the high quality nibs and the vivid cap and barrel. Unfortunately the gold plating was very thin and many examples of the pens show lots of plating loss.

It's unknown to me if there was any premium for the larger pen with the wide cap band.

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

This is a large size, wide cap band Conklin Glider fountain pen in green striped celluloid c. 1944-1946. It was made in three versions, this being the largest pen, which is the only one with a 3/8 inch wide gold plated cap band. The gold plating on these pens is notoriously thin, in contrast with the very high quality pens Conklin made in the previous decade. It features a 14 karat gold Cushon Point nib and a clear Visink ink view section. Conklin advertisements from 1944 describe the Glider as a new fountain pen selling for $2.75 and $3.95 in a set with the matching pencil. Four different “dichro-plastic” striped inlay pattern colors were shown, in shades of green, blue, brown and red.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ConklinGlider_1280_04.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is the slender size Conklin Glider fountain pen in blue striped celluloid c. 1944-1946. It was made in three versions. The other two are wider in diameter and differ by one having a narrow gold plated cap band and the other a 3/8 inch wide gold plated cap band. The gold plating on these pens is notoriously thin, in contrast with the very high quality pens Conklin made in the previous decade. This example not only shows plating loss but pitting in the metal. It features a 14 karat gold Conklin Toledo nib instead of the standard Cushon Point nib and the clear Visink ink view section has completely lost its black coating that creates the ink view window and reveals the full nib and feed. Conklin advertisements from 1944 describe the Glider as a new fountain pen selling for $2.75 and $3.95 in a set with the matching pencil. Four different “dichro-plastic” striped inlay pattern colors were shown, in shades of green, blue, brown and red.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ConklinGliderBlue_1280_05a.jpg

Thanks!

[miwishi63]

Would this be an example?

 

[PenHero]

Would this be an example?

 

Sure looks like it!

[miwishi63]

Sure looks like it!

 

Thanks! I'm ashamed to admit that I did not know its vintage, although I knew it was a Conklin. I bought it awhile back and restored it. I'll be putting into rotation soon.

 

-Mike

[miwishi63]

The pen I have has the Chicago imprint and a Toledo nib. The info on your website seems to indicate that it is a fairly early model. Is that correct?

 

-Mike

[PenHero]

The pen I have has the Chicago imprint and a Toledo nib. The info on your website seems to indicate that it is a fairly early model. Is that correct?

 

-Mike

 

The information in the article on PenHero.com is out of date. I will need to revise it in the next couple weeks.

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

This is the slender size Conklin Glider fountain pen in green striped celluloid c. 1944-1946. It was made in three versions. The other two are wider in diameter and differ by one having a narrow gold plated cap band and the other a 3/8 inch wide gold plated cap band. The gold plating on these pens is notoriously thin, in contrast with the very high quality pens Conklin made in the previous decade. This example shows complete plating loss on the clip and lever. It features a 14 karat gold Conklin Toledo nib instead of the standard Cushon Point nib. It has the Visink ink view section. Conklin advertisements from 1944 describe the Glider as a new fountain pen selling for $2.75 and $3.95 in a set with the matching pencil. Four different “dichro-plastic” striped inlay pattern colors were shown, in shades of green, blue, brown and red.

 

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ConklinGlider_1280_06.jpg

 

Thanks!